Mine-protection system.



J. MOGAVIN. MINE PROTECTION SYSTEM. APPLICATION PILE D JULY 17, 1911.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

COLUMBIA I'UANUURAI'II cu., WA3IIIINUTUN, u. C.

JAMES MGGAVIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MINE-PROTECTION SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 17, 1911.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Serial No. 639,074.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES MoGAvIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Mine-Protection System.

My invention relates to improvements in the means of continuously withdrawing dangerous gases which collect in underground workings, such as coal mines and other excavations and thereby greatly reducing the liability, if not eliminating altogether, the possibility of explosions and consequently rendering the life of the workmen more secure.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of an ordinary coal mine showing the system of workings. Fig. 2 is a plan of same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of an entry, or working showing my proposed pits and domes for the collection of the dangerous gases.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In a coal mine, or other underground excavation, in which explosive and noxious gases are set free, and in which as a consequence fatal catastrophies often result with an appalling loss of human life, it becomes absolutely necessary, for the security of the workers that a mechanical system should be installed throughout the workings by which these fatal gases may be withdrawn, and the mine rendered safe. The fresh air circulation by the ordinary method now in use does not afford this security. I therefore propose throughout the workings of a mine, in

the most advantageous locations to obtain the best results, to form a series of pits (D) on the floor line into which the heavy gases fall and are collected, and a series of domes, or recesses, (E), in the roof, into which the lighter explosive gases ascend and are collected. These pits (D) or domes (E) are connected to suction fans (F), driven by electric motors (M) by pipes (G and H) through which the gases are drawn from the pits and domes and forced through exhaust pipes (1,) into the return air ducts K within the mine and thence carried to the upcast air shaft (B) into the atmosphere.

A is the down cast shaft into mine; B the upcast air shaft operated by exhaust fan X; C an entry, or working.

I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent- 1. In a mine, the combination of the walls thereof having a plurality of pockets formed therein for collecting gas, with means associated with the pockets for removing the gas, substantially as described.

2. In a mine, the combination of the walls thereof having a plurality of pockets formed therein for collecting gas, with a system of suction pipes for removing the gas, substantially as described.

3. In a mine, the combination of the walls thereof having a plurality of pockets formed therein for collecting gas, a system of suction pipes for removing the gas, with an upcast air shaft into which the gas is discharged, substantially as described.

JAMES MCGAVIN.

Witnesses:

DAVID Ross, J. D. RoPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. I 

